Regina MD agrees to give up licence

Gastroenterologist quits medicine amid accusations of inappropriate touching

REGINA A Regina doctor facing allegations of inappropriate sexual touching has agreed to give up his medical licence and never practise medicine again, according to documents released by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS).

In September, Dr. Sylvester Ukabam was charged with professional misconduct for an alleged “sexual boundary breach.”

This was in addition to a similar misconduct charge laid against him by the CPSS earlier this year.

“The allegations in the charge have not been admitted, nor has there been a hearing before the discipline committee to determine whether the allegations in the charge will be proved,” said the CPSS documents in relation to the two charges.

“The matter was resolved when Dr. Ukabam agreed to relinquish his licence and never to practise medicine anywhere in the world in the future.”

A declaration, signed by Ukabam, says he resigns as a member of the CPSS, effective 60 days from Oct. 9, 2018, and agrees not to practise medicine in Saskatchewan or anywhere else once his resignation becomes effective.

Until that time he has agreed to a number of conditions, including no in-person professional encounters with female patients without a female practice chaperone, and no physical exams on any female patient.

He is also restricted from doing any procedures that require physical contact with a female patient, and must post a clearly visible sign in any location where he sees female patients stating he will not see female patients without the presence of a chaperone.

The latest allegation accused Ukabam, a gastroenterologist, of inappropriately touching a female patient’s genitalia and vagina without consent or a valid medical reason during an examination on or around June 23, 2014.

The first misconduct charge was filed by CPSS on Jan. 19, 2018 and related to an April 24, 2017 examination

The allegations in the charge have not been admitted, nor has there been a hearing

... to determine whether the allegations in the charge will be proved.

and similarly alleged Ukabam inappropriately touched a different patient’s vagina without a valid medical reason.

The agreement also states that, provided Ukabam complies with the terms, the college “will not further proceed with the investigations currently underway or the charges of unprofessional conduct” that have been laid against him.

Postmedia News attempted to reach Ukabam at his downtown Regina office Friday afternoon, but was told he would not be commenting.